Green Homes Tour and MD/DC (and VA) Incentives Roundup

(Updates marked in red below - Nov and Dec 2010) This is a slightly longer version (with images) of the article found in my Sept 2010 Going Green column in the Takoma/Silver Spring/Kensington Voice column...

Green Homes and Gardens Tour and

Incentives to Save Energy

It's almost time of year again for our local Green Homes and Gardens tour, and regional Solar Tour. Please see the details below and also learn about how much stimulus money and local incentives are available to help you go green to save money, energy and other resources at your home or business. (and there's a summary of local green tours info at the end.)

3rd Annual Takoma Area Green Homes and Gardens Tour

Saturday, Oct 2, 2010 - 11am - 5pm:

Caption: NOTE THIS IS A PREVIEW MAP (from 2009) ONLY – You can request or download a guide map for the Takoma Area Green Homes Tour at: www.SolarTour.org or www.Truthful-Living.com (created by Sat Jiwan with Google Maps)

As part of the regional DC Solar Homes Tour, there will be a one-day, sub-tour of green homes and gardens in the Takoma Park area. This smaller tour will have a handful of solar homes, but will have several additional homes and sites (not listed in the main solar tour guide) highlighting other green building features – from energy efficiency and conservation, to non-toxic and salvaged materials, to corn stoves, biodiesel furnaces and cars, to green roofs, rain gardens, storm water management and native landscaping.... AND a demonstration energy audit with blower door test – so you can see how easily you can make changes in your own home.

CAPTION: Historic District Green Renovation and Addition – featuring lots and lots of insulation: R20 slab, R40 walls and R60 – cellulose, denim, closed cell spray foam, SIS exterior wall panels, interior XPS and polyiso rigid foam board and more... (photo by Sat Jiwan)

Lower Footprint Touring: Since many of these homes are within a 1-2 mile radius, it will be easier to see many of them, and potentially you can walk or bike to them, all in one afternoon. (Look for bike tour information and possibly a biodiesel shuttle bus option as the event gets closer.)

Go Green Before Going Solar: Many of the homes on the green tour will emphasize cost-effective home improvements that will pay for themselves within 5-10 years (or less) and save money every year afterward. After addressing energy-efficiency, it then makes sense to explore appropriately-sized solar and renewable energy systems with longer paybacks. With rising energy costs, and other looming effects of peak oil and climate change, it’s more important than ever to learn about and implement these changes, big and small, to improve our local self-reliance.

You can request or download a guide map for the Takoma Area Green Homes Tour at: www.SolarTour.org or www.Truthful-Living.com

Rebates, Tax Credits, and Getting Paid to Save Energy:

During the summer we don't use much energy for heating, so the majority of our energy use is in the form of electricity and for some people a high air conditioning bill to cope with the summer heat. There's several incentive programs recently or currently operating due to stimulus money and tax credits coming from the federal government and some more local incentive programs often run through the utility. Even programs that will pay you to NOT to use energy.

Peak electricity use spikes during the middle of the afternoon on weekdays in the late spring, summer and early fall, and real-time electricity prices rise, along with increased pollution and chances of power service interruption. Even though residential electricity bills often have higher summer rates in general, there is no “time-of-use metering” to reflect the higher-cost, dirtier electricity so there's no incentive for changing when we use our electricity. In response to this there are several incentive programs to help reduce electricity use overall and especially the electricity used during those peak periods.

NOTE FOR RENTERS: get permission of landlord to share costs or take advantage of some of these often free offers, though (for some silly reason) some offers are just for primary residences.

Earn Money from Pepco – if you have central air conditioning, get paid $80 upfront and up to $80 more over the summer months for letting them install a “digital cycling unit” to your outdoor unit. Earn the maximum reward for allowing them to turn off your air conditioning 100% during the peak energy use periods, or a portion of the reward for 50-75% cycling options. This works especially well for people out of the house during the day and early evening. Also, even if you are home during the day, you can get by without sacrificing much comfort by using some of the natural cooling strategies (see my archived articles) or doing “pre-cooling” before anticipated conservation periods. (Note: I tried to sign up the 100% level, but since my A/C unit is a new, super high-efficiency unit, it wasn't compatible which may also be the case with very old units. Though, in most cases, you do not need to be home for the installation.)

Free from Pepco – if you have central air conditioning, you can receive a free digital, internet or manually programmable thermostat to help you save and energy and control your comfort. You do need to be home for the installation.

To sign up or get more info visit: EnergyWiseRewards.Pepco.com or call (NOTE: Energy Wise Rewards is currently only for Maryland customers – until a similar program is approved for DC residents)

$40 (or free) Quick Home Energy Check-up – if you're a MD Pepco customer and you have electric heat or central A/C, you can get a $40 quick energy check up, or have the fee waived if you agree to install three simple energy upgrades at the time of inspection from pre-selected energy contractors. Call 866-353-5798 to schedule.

$100 Energy Audits – if you're a MD Pepco customer and you have electric heat or central A/C, you can get $100 audits if you use a pre-selected auditor (I like Live Green, EcoBeco, TerraLogos and Magic in Your Attic ).Details here: HomeEnergySavings.Pepco.com

Up to $1200 incentives to complete work recommended by energy audit above. Ask pre-selected auditor for details.

$100 HVAC tune-ups or $300 off new units – MD customers receive discounted services or rebate on new unit installation by using one of their participating contractors. Call 866-353-5798 or visit: HomeEnergySavings.Pepco.com

Combined Coupons for Appliance Rebates (while supplies/funding lasts) – Combine state rebates with utility-issued EmPower MD rebates and get up to $25 off room air conditioners, $100 off freezers, $500 off heat pump and central A/C units, $100 off energy-efficient refrigerators and clothes washers and $300 off heat pump water heaters, . Detail through the state MEA website: Energy.Maryland.gov (note: a client of mine went refrigerator shopping recently and said there's low inventory on the models that qualify for all the rebates, so you might need to plan ahead.)

MD State Update Nov 2010 -

The Appliance Rebate Program ends Friday, Nov. 12. To date, the program has expended 89% of funding. More at: http://energy.maryland.gov/Residential/applianceRebate.html

Dec 2010: MD Pepco Appliance rebates still available for refrigerator ($50), window A/C ($25), water heaters ($20), and HVAC (up to $300). See: http://homeenergysavings.pepco.com/md/appliance-rebate

But wait, there's more!!

For Montgomery County residents, you can earn up to $250 property tax credit for energy efficiency devices (including a biomass stove) and 50% up to $5000 for solar PV and geothermal systems (up to $1500 for solar hot water). Program dollars are extremely limited, especially for the overly generous renewable energy credit, so get your application in right away – the new funding cycle started July 1). Details at: MoCo's Dept of Env Protection website.

If you order now, we'll even include, at no additional cost... (and this one is available for DC RESIDENTS even if you don't have a vote in congress!)

Federal energy efficiency tax credits – until the end of 2010 (unless extended by Congress) you can earn a 30% up to $1500 tax credit for installation of qualified energy efficient appliances, insulation, new windows, biomass/corn stoves, etc. (this applies after other rebates and credits, and is the same credit and cumulative cap as 2009, so you can only claim it up to the maximum one time). More at: EnergyStar.gov

DC INFO:

Efficiency Rebates: About a million dollars is available for appliance rebates for gas and electric water heaters, refrigerators, clothes washers, dishwashers, and furnaces and boilers went into effect 7/15/2010. Rebates are $50-300. Details at: Green.DC.gov or call 202.673.6733.

Other Incentives: The generous solar energy rebate program is taking applications and there is still a free energy audit available for all DC residents (rentals or primary residences).

DC UPDATE: Nov 2010 -

Pepco incentives: CFL Bulbs: $1.50-$3 (up to 25 bulbs), Refrigerator: $50, Room A/C: $25 (up to 5 units, $25 each), Water Heater: $20 - More at: http://homeenergysavings.pepco.com/dc/appliance-rebate

City Rebates: (INCLUDES WEATHERIZATION): Clothes Washer: $100 - $125, Dishwasher: $50 - $75, Refrigerator: $50, Electric Heat Pump Water Heater: $300, Gas Storage Water Heater: $200, Residential Gas Boiler: $300, Residential Gas Furnace: $200, Weatherization: 50% of cost up to $1000.
Started 10/25/10 - funds available until exhausted. More at: http://www.dc.state-rebate.com/arra-appliance/

VA info: (just gathered this for a client in Alexandria... so there might be a few more incentives if you are in Arlington or other parts of the state.)

• State: Virginia

  • A four-day sales tax exemption on Energy Star products of $2,500 or less per product, purchased for non-commercial home or personal use... applies to sales occurring during the four-day period that begins each year on the Friday before the second Monday in October and ends at midnight on the second Monday in October. (dishwashers, clothes washers, air conditioners, ceiling fans, compact fluorescent light bulbs, dehumidifiers, programmable thermostats or refrigerators that meet federal Energy Star standards. It should be noted that certain EPA "Watersense" products may also qualify.)

  • Individuals may also claim a deduction of 20%, up to $500, on their state income tax return for sales tax paid to purchase certain energy-efficient products listed on this web site.

  • Appliance Rebates – money available until exhausted – so soon probably... items more relevant for you are Clothes Washer (ENERGY STAR qualified): $75 and Refrigerator (ENERGY STAR qualified): $60. Details at: http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/incentive.cfm?Incentive_Code=VA31F&re=1&ee=1

• Local: Alexandria

  • Offers a property tax exemption for solar systems. I'm pretty sure this means you don't pay anything additional even though the value of your house is increased with solar installations. See: http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/incentive.cfm?Incentive_Code=VA01F&re=1&ee=1

• Dominion (Utility) programs:

  • http://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/energy-conservation/ec-programs.jsp :
    CFL discounts, Air Conditioning Cycling Program: $40/summer, and an audit/implementation program for low-income (not sure if you qualify but it only covers most of the things you've done already.)

• Future updated information on incentives can be found here: http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/index.cfm?State=VA

Sat Jiwan Iklé-Khalsa is now “low-flow” blogging at: www.Truthful-Living.blogspot.com and is a recent green home renovator and a green building/renovation consultant . Find past articles, local green building stores, info, resources, including annotated green house renovation photos and services at: www.Truthful-Living.com or call 301.891.8891

LOCAL GREEN TOUR EVENTS IN OCTOBER:

Saturday Oct 2, 11am–5pm – Takoma Green Homes Tour – (described above) You can request or download a guide map at: www.SolarTour.org or www.Truthful-Living.com

October 2nd and 3rd, 11-5pm - 20^th Annual DC Area Tour of Solar Homes and Buildings – Tour over 70 homes and sites on two days. Purchase paper guides at Summer Delights in Old Town Takoma Park, or get info and free guides online at: www.SolarTour.org

Saturday and Sunday, Oct 2-3, 11am – 5pm - Western MD Solar Homes Tour -
Tour guide/ticket are $2 each and available soon at area locations in Western Maryland (see www.SolarTour.org for details) or Contact Rich Maranto at rich@ram-digital.com or 301.371.4422

Saturday, Oct 16, 2010 – 10am – 5pm - The Capitol Hill Energy Cooperative Solar Home Tour and Fair -
Fair at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation located on East Capitol Street – just 2 blocks from the US Capitol and Supreme Court. Tickets for the solar home tour will be available at the Fair for $10 per adult (kids get in free).

Nov 09 - Going Green: "Wind Power and Windows and Rim Joists, oh my!

(a re-publication of my November 2009 Going Green column from the Takoma/Silver Spring Voice - www.Takoma.com )

What's that quote? Life is not about the destination but the journey along the way. While the endpoint may not be clear, along the way we'll save some money, save some energy and save the planet... that way our journey can be extended at least a little longer. This month we'll have a few questions from readers and clients. I wish these questions had simple and comprehensive answers, but since they don't, I'll give you at least half an answer and some headings in the right direction. With an additional promise to followup on each of these issues in future columns...


WIND POWER:

I'm interested in buying wind power for my home. What are the differences in products from local suppliers? How much will it cost? - Working through Wind Power Options on Walnut


When evaluating different renewable energy electricity products, you want to look at location, source and verification... along with price. A comparison to food purchases would be evaluating where it's grown, how it's grown and if it has third -party certification.


If a wind product is produced locally, then it has the ability to not only offset global carbon emission, but also pollution in our local air shed. Additionally, it can help the local economy by producing green jobs and tax revenues closer to home.


You may choose to buy a wind product that is 50% wind to save some money or 100% to maximize the environmental benefits. Some clean energy suppliers even mix in other sources such as methane gas from landfills or solar power from solar panels, that you may want to avoid or prefer.


When you get wind power for your home, it will almost certainly be a combination of local grid power and a Renewable Energy Certificate, or REC, representing the displacement of dirty power by clean wind farm power. This REC may represent local, regional or national wind farms and may or may not have individual certification by a third-party organization such as Green-e. Added verification costs a little more and for smaller residential REC purchases, some companies may not include this in order to keep prices lower. But as a customer you may find third-party certification desirable. Of the companies below, only WindCurrent is listed as a certified Green-e supplier for residential purchases..


Here's some local clean power options, ranked roughly in their quality and price. The higher-quality, greener options tend to cost a bit more. (prices are for 100% wind power in cents/KWh)


* Conventional - Pepco - "Standard Offer Service" (this is for comparison if you don't choose an alternative supplier) - MD 12.5 or DC 11.3 - basic dirty power ~50+% coal, ~30+% nuclear, plus natural gas, other...

* Light green - Clean Currents - "C-green" (2yr lock in option) MD 11.7 or DC 11.4 - Combines national (Texas, Iowa) RECs with local standard power and costs less than Pepco's current summer rates, similar to winter rates.

* Regional - WGES (Washington Gas Energy Services) - "CleanSteps" (2yr lock in option) MD 12.9 or DC 12.8 - Combines regional (as far as Illinois) RECs with local standard power and costs more than Pepco's current summer rates. Fossil fuel company selling some green power. (Check with Jared Hughes, Takoma Park resident and local sales rep, who might be able to get you a cheaper gas price as well. 301.270.3012)

* Local and "organic" - WindCurrent - "Chesapeake Wind-Solar Current" - 2.5 cents plus your current electricity rate - Stand alone purchase of very local wind RECs (99% from PA, NJ, MD) along with 1% solar RECs from DE.

Also, if you're a Montgomery County resident you can save an additional .5 cents per KWh (about $25-50/year) through the Clean Energy Rewards Program. The wind power suppliers above are all part of that program.




(HISTORIC) WINDOWS:

I live in the Historic District, and want to replace or improve some of my old windows to increase comfort and efficiency. Some of the windows have old storm windows. I'm hearing different opinions about replacement/new windows vs storm windows. What should I do?

- Megan, Wondering about Windows on Willow (in the Historic District)


In general, the energy payback on replacing windows is not cost effective for a homeowner. If the windows are original and need to be replaced to historic requirements, then they'll likely be less efficient, will cost even more and take even longer to pay back. There are more effective ways to make energy improvements that should be done first.


Most windows (even "efficient" ones) aren't all that much better than old windows. Unless you pay TONS of money for SUPER-efficient ones that only really make sense in Northern climates. (Replacing faulty/old/sticky windows in preparation for a home SALE or for your own aesthetic or functional desires is another matter that's not about energy savings.)


Old wood single-pane windows (as long as they don't have big gaps or holes are about R1 insulation value. Cheap new windows can get you R2, but so can having a good storm window. Good quality (argon-filled, low-E) new ones may get R2.6 - R3, but so can an insulating shade. Really efficient windows can get to R5 - R9, but may not qualify for historic use. They say, even a good window (R3) makes a bad wall (R10 - R20).


I think the best things to do with old windows is:
1. Fix any leaks and do a little maintenance so they operate well.
2. Consider exterior or interior storm windows.
3. Consider insulating window shades (or drapes). The window quilts are pretty expensive and hard to find, but pleated honeycomb types that have side rails to prevent air flow can noticeably improve the PERCEIVED temperature of the window and will add a little in actual insulating R-value as well.

In addition to a modest R-value increase, two things new/double pane windows have is 1. they may open/close better than your old windows. 2. the "perception" of warmth. The glass itself will be warmer and tend to encourage the homeowner to keep the heat at a lower temperature. So try placing chairs further from single pane windows so you won't be tempted to compensate by turning your heat up, or try drapes or insulated shades.


Here's some other energy-saving perception tricks to be combined with keeping the thermostat low...

1. Place furniture closer together in winter (further in summer).
2. invest in good quality thermal slippers and socks to keep you feeling warm.
3. Have one incandescent light bulb in your house. And place it close by your favorite reading spot as a miniature space heater.


Making Do With What You Have - learning the fine art of window glazing and using various weatherstripping materials (fuzzy strips, foam rubber strips, rope caulk, v-channel strip and felt pads) you can greatly reduce the air infiltration of older windows. Borrow a weatherization book from the library or find instructions on the internet or pay someone else to do it.


Interior or Exterior Storm Windows - with historic districts, if you have existing storm windows you should be able to replace them with similar ones. Otherwise you may look into interior storm windows. Unfortunately I don't have good information about the R values and paybacks for these options (yet), but you can expect to pay a lot less than new windows, yet still see some energy improvements. If you go for "designer" grade interior or exterior storms, they will look better and cost more.


Exterior Triple Track Storms - These are your standard exterior design with two glass pieces and one screen for use on double hung windows. (Though some wooden frame, single-pane options are found on even older windows.) You can look for higher quality, heavier gauge material, adjustable sill extender, LOW-e coating, low air infiltration rating - and quality installed with stainless steel screws and caulking around except at the weep holes - about $160/medium standard window (installation not included).

Baltimore-based www.BurchCompany.com offers designer-quality triple track storms with many custom options. (not sure on prices).


Interior storm options comes in different flavors; here's a few:

- www.WindowTherm.com, Advanced Energy Panel - $80-90 each. Aluminum frames with foam compression seals, two sheets plastic and locking clips.

- www.ClimateSeal.com, single pane flexible plastic, vinyl frame, with magnetic seals like a refrigerator

- Build your own with wood and two layers of plastic for about $1/sq foot plus your time - A guy I know in Maine has this (and many other energy improvements) detailed at: www.ArtTec.net



Insulation Installation Inspiration: start small and have fun

I recently bought an older house. I know it needs some energy upgrades. I'm in DC and can get a free energy audit with blower door test, but I figure I'll do what I can do easily, then call them to find places I missed. What do-it-yourself project should we do first? - Jeff, Eager to Save Energy on Eastern

Takoma DC resident Jeff Farbman trims a piece of rigid foam board for insulating the rim joists in his basement.

Spray foam is used to seal the existing cavity and to "glue" the rigid foam board in place. (Photo by Sat Jiwan Ikle-Khalsa)

We had another insulation party. Well, it was just two of us, but fun anyway. He bought the materials, I brought over some home-brewed organic beer and we set to work on the weakest part of most houses: the band or rim joist - that's where the walls of the house meet the foundation. It is often a place where outside air infiltrates and there's inadequate insulation. With a little effort, not much skill, and some spray foam and rigid foam insulation we were able to greatly reduce leaks and improve insulation value. See photos. (Next party: air sealing and insulating the attic. That might be two separate parties. Let me know if you want to join.)


Sat Jiwan Iklé-Khalsa is now "low-flow" blogging at: www.Truthful-Living.blogspot.com and is a recent green home renovator and a green building/renovation consultant . Find past articles, local green building stores, info, resources, including annotated green house renovation photos and services at: www.Truthful-Living.com or call 301.891.8891





RESOURCE BOX:

Pepco Offers and Rebates Through EnergyWise Rewards Program:

Recently PEPCO has made available several free offers and rebates for saving energy or deferring energy use to non-peak times. You may want to take advantage of some of these offers: (they either have to do this as a condition of recent rate increases, have stimulus money to spend or figure they'll save more on peak electricity costs than they'll spend on these offers.) For more info see recent PEPCO bill insert, EnergyWiseRewards.pepco.com, or call 866-353-5798.

* Discounts on Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFLs) can be found at participating (usually big box) retailers in Maryland and DC.

* Appliance Rebates: $50 for refrigerators, $25 for window A/C units, $20 for electric hot water heater. (Conditions usually require Energy Star qualified products, but be sure to find the BEST Energy Star products which can save even more energy than basic ones.)

* If you have central A/C, you can choose to get a free programmable thermostat, professionally installed.

* AND/OR be on a voluntary cycling program where PEPCO can turn the compressor part of your A/C unit on/off for periods of time during peak energy use (the circulation fan will still run). Depending on your self-selected 25%, 50% or 100% participation level your house temperature will rise a bit during cycling times, but you'll also get paid up to $40-80 annually, plus a bonus payment the first year. By reducing peak power demand, dirtier and older peak power plants can be kept offline or run for few hours.




Transition Takoma - Local Food Working Group forming

Standing room only at the recent Transition Town screening of "Fresh! New Ideas about What We're Eating" - at Seekers church. (Photo by Sat Jiwan Ikle-Khalsa)

It was standing room only at the recent Transition Town screening of "Fresh! New Ideas about what we're Eating". Following up on that, a working group is forming to focus on local food issues. Join to be part of the discussion AND ACTION. Visit: http://groups.google.com/group/transition-takoma-food-group

Featured in local story, and missing the point on "payback"

Jeremy Arias from The Gazette interviewed me, my friend Doug Horgan, and a couple other locals for an article about costs of going green. (Experts: Going green doesn't have to put you in the red, 09.09.09) There's a lot to cover on a topic like this and I think he did a nice job for a short piece, and got most of my quotes and sentiments right on. I enjoyed more of the things that came up in our interview, than what made it into the article.

He mentioned the $7000 (25%) in incentives I got in 2007 for our solar panels and about 15-20 year payback I expect. If I did the same project today combining federal, state (MD) and Montgomery County local incentives, I would get about 80% in incentives and have a payback of 5-10 years. See my recent Voice column (Apr 2009) which summarizes this (note: both MD and Montgomery County have refunded their programs as of June/July).

More on "payback":
While it's true when looking to develop a priorities list for home improvements, it makes a lot of sense to do the quickest payback items first, it's actually a bit of a red herring that you should only do things which have certain financial "paybacks".

First of all, when was the last time someone told you the payback time for their new car, iPod or iPhone? There's a lot of things in life we pay for that have less tangible benefits... yet still add to our quality of life... or protect our environment!

Second, when speaking of the environment, there's a certain urgency with the threats of global warming that trying to find out the payback time for a stable climate and dependable sources of energy, food and water tends to become irrelevant. Sure, we'd rather not saddle our child(ren) with 100s of year of debts, but if they avoid killing each other over access to clean water, it's probably worth it.


Renovation vs Improvement
One thing that got lost in the article was the distinction between "doing a green renovation" and "doing green home improvements". In the first case, it's assumed you're changing things about your house (removing walls, redoing rooms, adding space) because you want it to work better for you. When you do this, it's best to go green in as many ways that make sense for your budget and priorities. But the only way that type of renovation is going to "pay for itself" is if/when you sell your house, presuming you did something that really added to resale value. The fact that you laid out thousands of dollars to change your space is more a quality of life investment... at least in the near term.

In the second case of "doing green home improvements", you would choose to do things like energy efficiency improvements which SPECIFICALLY can be designed to save your money and pay for themselves over a time period. If you document your improvements (through certifications and/or utility bills) you can also make these selling points if/when you decide to sell. (hint: doing window replacements is usually something to do just before a sale, not as a way to save money while you're living there.)

If you are looking for a starting point on what improvements to do first which can save you money quickly see my Green Home Mantras article (March 2009). And if/when you tackle a renovation/addition project, seek out some cost-effective, and maybe not so cost-effective, ways to go green for their tangible and less tangible "hidden benefits".

Save the View

While vacationing this month on Cape Cod with my parents, we followed the news about a local wind power meeting. We composed and submitted a letter to the editor together. It hasn't been published yet so I'm guessing it won't be, but wanted to share it here.

Kyah's first canoe ride with Papa-Ji, on Oyster Pond River in Chatham, MA
(Photo Credit: Sat Jiwan Ikle-Khalsa, click for "better view".)

SAVE THE VIEW (submitted 6/19/09)

Our family has been vacationing on Cape Cod for over 20 years. We cherish the views and participate in activities off-Cape to preserve them. We have followed the progress of the Cape Wind project in Nantucket Sound and now newer proposals for land-based wind farms on the Cape itself ("State planners get feedback on wind power", Cape Cod Times, June 18).

The prospect of coming to the Cape to be greeted by graceful, sweeping wind turbines, both on and off shore, delights us. Historically, Cape Cod has been home to a number of working windmills, ("Uncovering the Windmill", Cape Cod Times, June 18). How fitting it would be to start a new chapter in Cape history with the next generation of windmills.

The power-producing turbines would be a tourist attraction (especially if we beat Delaware as the first off-shore US wind farm). And not only would they produce additional revenue through tourist dollars, energy production, green collar jobs, and valuable carbon reduction credits; the turbines would have the added benefit of helping ensure that global warming-induced sea level rise doesn't put the Cape under water.

Quite honestly, we need energy conservation, energy efficiency... AND more renewable power to stop global warming. Talking about any of these alone is not a sufficient solution. However, if the Cape is washed away, there won't be much of view to save... with or without wind turbines.

Sat Guru Khalsa, Millis, MA and former chairman of Millis Conservation Commission

Sat Jiwan Ikle-Khalsa, Takoma Park, MD (formerly Millis, MA) and board member of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network

...both 20-year vacationers in Chatham, MA

Here's some more resources about Cape Cod wind farms if you like: (from Cape Cod Times)

• Pro and con
  • Developer: Cape Wind Associates
  • Pro Group: Clean Power Now
  • Con Group: Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound
  • Con Group: WindStop.org

Should have started this a while ago...

Welcome to the Truthful Living blog. I'll be posting periodically (probably 1-2 month, probably not more than 1x/week) mostly about green building, energy efficiency and global warming issues... and probably occasionally about conscious consumer, simple living and sustainable future topics.

Some planned and expected regular posts should include:
- my monthly "going green" column for the local paper
- answers to reader green quandary questions
- various green building materials analyses/updates/buying guides (i.e. wind power purchases, dual flush toilets, refrigerators, dehumidifiers)
- energy case studies or reports from our house, client projects (i.e. solar panel payback)

Please subscribe via a feed reader or email to get notice of new posts... (see margin at the side)

Thanks and have a great day!
- Sat Jiwan
[sot 'jee vin]